Blog & Guides

Welcome to the Visit Bristol blog, your one-stop shop for ideas, inspiration and handy tips to make your time in Bristol that bit better!  

From suggested itineraries to festival round-ups and unmissable things to do, our guides aim to showcase the best of the city, whatever the time of year. We publish new blogs every week and keep our blog posts up-to-date with the latest information, so you can trust that you’re getting the most accurate and useful tips for your trip. 

Planning a trip with the family? Check out our guides on Places to stay with kids in and around Bristol and Things to do with teenagers. We’ve also got a list of 60 free things to do to keep costs down. 

Coming  here to sample as much of the food scene as you can? Have a read through our list of Bristol’s Michelin-starred restaurants, top cocktail bars and pub gardens, or find the best places to go for vegan food while you’re here. We’re sure you’ll also want to try a tasty Sunday roast while you’re here – we've rounded up a few of the best of those too! 

If you’re local to Bristol, or here for a few days, we’ve also got plenty of suggestions for day trips to the north, south, east and west of the city so that you can experience as much of the region as possible. Maybe you want to tick off all of the World Heritage Sites near Bristol, or discover our most accessible outdoor attractions

We’ll also have seasonal guides to help you get the most out of Summer in Bristol, from rooftop bars to scenic cycle routes, or find out what’s on for Christmas in and around the city. 

Keep checking back for more brilliant Bristol inspiration! 

Places to stay with kids in Bristol and beyond

Bringing the family to Bristol? After experiencing the excitement of the city’s attractions, adventurous activities and delicious food and drink, you’ll need somewhere to rest and recharge. Luckily, there are countless places to stay with kids, whether you fancy a city centre hotel with big…

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Itinerary: Bristol in World War II

Thursday 8th May 2025 is the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe or VE Day, which marked the end of the Second World War in Europe. There are celebrations and commemorations across the city, including Celebrate VE80 at Berkeley Castle and Spirit of '45 at Aerospace Bristol, both taking place from…

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Escape to the country: Rural retreats near Bristol

Get the best of both worlds and combine your city break with a rural getaway! Fill your day with exciting events and attractions on offer in the buzzing city of Bristol before ending the day gazing out over green fields, sweeping hills and woodland. The city is right on the doorstep of sensational…

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10 ways to have a sustainable break in Bristol

Looking to minimise your impact on the environment or city when you come to Bristol? We've got plenty of eco-friendly ideas to help with planning your trip, from transport choices to activities and tasty food and drink. First of all, if you've picked Bristol as a place to visit, you've already…

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Explore the city with Bristol Walk Fest 2025

From 1-31 May there are hundreds of walks on offer all around the city as part of this year's Bristol Walk Fest. Most of them are free, and they cover all abilities and interests. Whether you are a casual walker who fancies a gentle stroll to explore new parts of the city, or an enthusiastic…

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Explore Bristol by bike

Cycling and Bristol go together like Wallace and Gromit. Named as England’s first cycling city back in 2008, Bristol has flourished as a bike-friendly haven and is home to excellent cycle routes and experiences suitable for every type of rider, from regular pedal-heads and fearless mountain bikers…

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6 World Heritage Sites to visit near Bristol

Bristol makes a perfect base to explore the historical wonders of the region. Here you’ll find ancient countryside and world-famous landmarks that sit proudly alongside their diverse and unique UNESCO World Heritage Site counterparts such as the Pyramids of Egypt and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef…

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9 of Bristol's top record stores

Love nothing more than geeking out over vinyl at a good record store? In keeping with the city's musical reputation, Bristol is home to stacks of friendly record shops, run by staff with encyclopaedic music knowledge. Here are nine of Bristol's best record stores where you can get rummaging for…

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Where to have a digital detox in Bristol

We all need time to relax and recharge, and there’s no better place to take some time away from technology and chill out for a few hours... Take in the greenery at a local park Brandon Hill Park Brandon Hill, Bristol’s oldest park, is a perfect getaway conveniently located just off Park Street. The…

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The best wild swimming spots near Bristol

Georgie Duckworth, author of new book ‘Wild Swimming Walks Bristol & Bath’, shares her favourite walks and wild swims close to Bristol. This book shares 28 unique and enticing wild swimming walks, all within one hour’s journey time from the city. Each walk differs in length and complexity level…

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